Does anyone still actually use the printed white or yellow pages?

I do but I think they are on their way out.

I do, too.

let me clarify as well – do you actually use them as they were intended (looking up numbers) as opposed to paperweights + steps + all.

I look up numbers.

On occasion I will use it if I’m looking for an address or a specific type of business. This mostly happens when I don’t feel like firing up the computer for that one thing. This is a two or three times a year event.

I use them as they were intended, and I use them often.

I use the phone book sometimes, but I agree with @janbb – I think they’re on the way out. I know I’m probably one of the few people who still uses it, and it seems a shame for all that paper to be wasted. I know it’s recycled and recyclable, but still.

It’d be nice if the phone companies, rather than printing phone books, would create a more comprehensive online version. Maybe print fewer of the books, and make them available upon request (go pick them up at the phone company building, or call a free number to have one delivered).

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just opt out of receiving it? Then only those who wanted it would get it.
edit:
Yes, like what @Seelix suggested.

I’ve not finished looking at this but it seems that you may be able to opt out of your yellow pages in the U.S.

if there is not a service to opt out, perhaps its a good biz to initiate? that is until the phoneco catches on…

Personally, I think an opt in would be better than an opt out. A lot of people wouldn’t bother to opt out – they’d just toss the book in the blue box or use it for kindling or whatever. But if one had to opt in, they’d definitely have to print far fewer books, I think.

I use them. With being a military family, we move a bit and it’s nice to just flip through the yellow pages to see what’s in the area as far as restaurants and different stores. It’s a great way to see what businesses are local to the area (like mom and pop shops) as opposed to only visiting big name stores.

If you have a cellphone, Free 411 has just about taken over the job of the phonebooks.

i guess im so used to mobile services that thats my goto group be it google, bing or any of the numerous ‘finder’ apps like gowalla, bizzy, evil yelp, foursquare, etc.

I use them occasionally.

Rarely. We get them dumped on us at the local post office, where most of the residents here get their mail.

Legally we cannot leave them at the PO; plus we would not want our kind and thoughtful postmistress to have the recycling burden. But mine go directly to the transfer station.

Then the power goes out for three days and it’s “where’s that phone book”?

They are handy for the car, and every once in a while I actually use them in the house. Depending on the publisher, they often have a bunch of useful information in one place (such as zipcode maps, city or county maps, lists of social organizations, separate listings for government, etc. Often that sort of stuff is easier (faster) to find in that sort of book than online, if you know how to use your phone book.

Definitely a relic from the past that’s headed for extinction. The last time I tried using Yellow Pages, like a year ago, I got so frustrated trying to find what I wanted that I threw it away and returned to using Google.

I use mine about 3 or 4 times a year, certainly not enough to justify the expense.
Publishing the phone book was a legal requirement until recently. It will be interesting to see how things change. I know the yellow pages was always a big income revenue for the phone company.

To my surprise I find I still use the Yellow Pages to find local companies. Somehow it works better than the web.

I keep it around just in case, but the internet has shown to be way more quick and efficient for me when looking up numbers.

I use white and yellow pages, I like the yellow pages when something goes wrong in the house, mostly to find chinese food! I’d go pick a phone book up or order one.

I personally do what you do – toss them in the recycling bin. But I do know a writer/film maker who will use the phone book for name ideas for his stories.

I really liked the Yellow Pages as a kid and would look through the whole thing when it arrived. I loved seeing all that information in one place. yes, I was a goober.

Sadly, I haven’t used one in almost twenty years. First it was 411, then the Internet (on a PC), now I get everything off my iPhone or iPad.

I was just discussing how mobile devices (paired with software and the Internet) have replaced so much. Does anyone call for the weather anymore? Use movie-phone? Call local police for directions?